CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO — OUROBOROS
day of the great devourer — part two

"We did it!" — iris wu

THEY HAD A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER IF THEY WANTED TO CATCH UP WITH THE DEVOURER, AND THEIR TORNADO-CREATED VEHICLE NEEDED REPAIRS. But together the ninja — and their Samurai, of course — made quick work of it as they helped each other to finish the task. Then, they were ready to roll.

The seven raced across the sand from Ed & Edna's and towards Ninjago City. Iris knew they wouldn't arrive before the Devourer but they could try and make it before the damage grew too great. They had people to save and an evil snake to destroy — if it was even possible. And the ninja knew the only way they could do it was if they worked together. 

People screamed and fled all around them, the streets turning to chaos. They could hear the loud roar of the Devourer resonating around them and quickly sped off in its direction. Iris held the sides of her seat tight like a vice as she readied herself for what they were about to face.

But when the ninja turned the corner, to come face-to-face with the scaly monstrosity, they found it eyeing up a different meal. A meal called Ed and Edna: Jay's parents. They couldn't let them be eaten.

"Mom? Dad?" Fear was evident in Jay's voice as he watched the snake lower down to the Walkers' level. Anger flashed through Iris's eyes; she was not about to let someone else become an orphan. Not after...

They all burst out of the vehicle, weapons raised and ready to strike. Although Iris wasn't sure her non-golden katana would do much against the snake even if it was old and a gift from her Father.

"Leave my parents alone!" Cried Jay as he landed on the roof of their weird and beautiful car. "Lightning!" Flinging his nunchucks, Jay shot beam after beam of electricity at the beast. It groaned in pain until it turned and fled in a different direction.

More people scattered as the Devourer headed straight for them; its path unpredictable and all-consuming. 

Iris watched as Kai followed after the snake until he leapt before it. The fire ninja stood his ground and brandished his sword before his scaly foe. "Fire!" He yelled and a plume of fire burst from his weapon and shot straight at the Devourer. Direct hit. 

It wailed and growled as the ninja attacked with his elemental blade. So, it decided to try and strike back. It raised its tail overhead, preparing to bring it down upon the red ninja. "Cole!" Iris turned to the strong earth ninja. "Don't let that spike get Kai!"

"On it, Sensei Iris!"

Then the earth ninja hurried over to where his brother-in-arms was facing down the biggest serpent in Ninjago's history. He grabbed the nearest heaviest thing he could find — a TV news truck — and lifted it up over his head. 

"Mind if I borrow this?" He asked as Iris teleported over to join him. With his earth strength, Cole threw the van straight at the forehead of the snake, distracting it some more.

A frown crossed Iris's lips as she stared up at the beast. They had seemed to hit where its weak spot was multiple times yet, nothing. Something wasn't working. There had to be a reason. Or at least another way to stop it. If only her Father was here, he would know.

"Go, ninja, go!" Cheered the news reporter as the others made their way to their side.

Shuriken in each hand, Zane stood beside Iris and stared at the spot she was looking at. They both wore the same confused look and tilted their heads curiously as they examined the Great Devourer from afar. 

They had not had the time to fix Zane's face so when he pulled his mask back over his face, one visible eye looked normal and the other looked completely silvery metal. It was fascinating. But Iris had already told him she would help restore his previous look, after they got rid of the Devourer, or even if.  

Kai had made his way over to the group as the huge snake was distracted. That was a close one. 

But then their scaly enemy turned to face them one more and brought down its tail for a well aimed strike. 

"Ice!"

"Space!"

The others screamed as Iris and Zane cast their elemental powers together. Zane encased the pointy top of the serpent in ice whilst Iris directed a cosmic blast straight at the middle of its long boy. The two looked over and gave the other a small nod and would have shared smiles if masks weren't covering their faces. But they were still there underneath.

But their attack didn't last long because the Great Devourer soon recovered from Iris's blast and shattered the ice surrounding its tail. It seemed even their elemental powers had little effect on this thing. 

"Uh, I think we only made it mad." Winced Jay as it used its tail to create destruction with one strong sweep.

"I fear you are right, Jay." Sighed the Sensei in defeat as she lowered her sword. "And I don't know what else to do." She really had no idea of what had to be done. Perhaps she wasn't fit for this role of Sensei after all.

The Devourer struck at them again with its tail but they couldn't avoid it this time. They were all smacked to the ground harshly, feeling the dirt on their gis. It was obvious they were losing this fight. 

Ninja never quit.

Her eyes shooting open, Iris recalled her Father's words and got to her feet. The bones in her body ached and grazes littered her exposed skin, but she continued anyway. Because ninja never quit. So she couldn't.

Above them, Nya flew up with Lloyd in her Samurai suit and there was a lamppost clutched tightly in her mechanical hand. What was she planning on doing with that? And her answer came quicker than expected as she watched Nya fly into the mouth of the snake and use the post to keep it stuck open.

That was amazing! Incredibly reckless and stupid yet incredible and brave. 

"Samurai to the rescue." Cheered Jay as he stared up at Nya in awe. "Again."

Lloyd groaned in disgust. "Its breath smells worse than Cole's chilli." from the ground, Iris was absolutely terrified for her cousin and her friend as they hung inside the mouth of the very creature they needed to prevent from consuming anything else. She couldn't lose anyone else.

Cole just protested at the green ninja's words and Iris tried to distract herself by forcing a smile. "He's right, Cole. Anything smells better than your chilli."

The Samurai suit had a tight grip in the metal bar inside the Great Devourer's mouth and no matter how hard it tried to dislodge the pole, it wouldn't work. It flung itself against the side of a building, hoping to knock it free. But the lamppost remained. With Nya and Lloyd still holding onto it.

They tossed inside the large snake's mouth and tried their hardest not to look down. Iris's heart leapt inside her chest and her breath hitched in her throat. 

"Get out of there, sis." 

"You have to let go, Nya."

They could hear the Samurai breathing heavily on the other end of the comm from effort as they struggled within the suit. "I can't." She stated and Iris felt her heart sink. Please, no. "Uuh! I'm stuck!"

She could see it from above: the Great Devourer slowly pushing down on the lamppost, trying to snap it in two. Soon Nya and Lloyd would have nothing to hold on to. "We have to do something!" Cried Iris as she stared up at the rest of her family. Then her and the others hurried straight for the beast and were about to strike when something soared down and hit the snake on the back of the head.

It was fast, big and... had four-heads? 

Iris gasped as she realised what she was looking at. The dragons had returned. And they were no longer four separate dragons; it seemed they had combined into one larger and more powerful creature. It was so beautiful. She had always loved dragons.

"Rocky!" Beamed Cole as he watched his dragon return to him. "Our dragons are back."

It circled above them and covered the perimeter, all the while keeping an eye on the large snake. Iris was in absolute awe of their new friend. But right now, she still had to get Lloyd and Nya free. Save friends first, get giddy over the new dragon later. 

"It appears dragons go through a metamorphosis when they reach adulthood." Pointed out Zane as he followed the path of their combined dragon in the corner of his perfect nindroid eyes. "They too have found their true potential."

Iris grinned from ear to ear as her hope recharged and a new sense of determination fuelled her. "They're incredible!"

"They couldn't have come at a better time." Rejoiced Cole as the dragon finally turned and dived straight for their scaly adversary. "Go get them, Rocky! Go!"

Nose first, the combined mega-dragon zoomed towards the Devourer. They did not hesitate. There was no fear to be seen. And as they approached the serpent, a blast of ice shot from what was originally Shard and coated the top of the snake's neck in a thick coat of cold.

"Ice!" Laughed Zane.

Up and up the mega-dragon, or super-dragon, went until it came to a stop and whipped around to stare down at the already icy snake. Then from one of the four mouths, a column of fire was spat out and hit the snake on the side of its scaly jaw. It stumbled back from impact. The ice now gone, melted and shattered away.

"Fire!"

When the super-dragon... wait, ultra-dragon sounded better, struck again, it was lightning this time that exited one of their fanged mouths. "Lightning!"

Flying up into the air, Iris watched in awe as it circled above and prepared for another blow. It charged directly for the jaw of the Devourer, using the power of earth to pack an even bigger punch. "Earth!" The force knocked the snake into a sense of confusion as it swayed and would have stumbled if it had legs. 

Then it landed against the side of a building and the weight in Iris's heart lightened as she watched the Samurai suit be tossed far away from the gaping hungry mouth of the snake. Their screams filled the air as they fell and once more, Iris felt her body freeze in fear. But before she could even attempt to try something, in swooped the ultra-dragon and caught the giant mechanical armour before it fell.

Thank the First Spinjitzu Master for that.

It placed them down on the ground, maybe not as gently as they would have liked, but they were hardly about to complain. Iris teleported right to their side, quickly throwing open the suit to make sure her friend and her cousin were alright.

"Are you hurt? Are you both okay?" She immediately asked, her eyes scanning their shaking forms for any injuries.

"Considering from the fact we were almost eaten, I would say not." Nya groaned as she slowly tried to sit up. Noticing her struggle, Iris instantly went and helped her. "But other than that, we're okay. Right, Lloyd?"

The green ninja also let out a small pained groan as he managed to get himself to his feet. "Yeah, I'm okay."

And as soon as he was up, Iris waisted no time in wrapping her arms around him and embracing her cousin in a tight hug. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, Little Monty." She whispered although she knew, almost certainly, that she would feel like this again. "I was so worried about you two."

Lloyd melted into her arms and felt safe once more in her presence. "I'll try not to." He chuckled softly.

Across from them, the Great Devourer was scaling a rather large building. It's long scaly tail was wrapped around it like a coil as it slithered higher and higher until it came up to the ultra-dragon's territory. It was evening the odds. 

They were all on the edges of their non-existent seats as they watched the battle unfold. On on hand, Iris couldn't bear to watch, but on the other, she couldn't look away. So she just bit her lip under her yellow mask as she watched the events take place.

Blast after blast, the ultra-dragon fired at the scaly beast. Every element was used in its assault as it tried to destroy the all-consuming serpent. But nothing seemed to work. 

If the power from the golden weapons nor the ultra-dragon could defeat the great evil, then what could?

Iris had no clue.

But she was more focused on the current fight in the skies as the ultra-dragon continued to fire different attacks at the snake. "Could dragons get any cooler?" Asked Cole as he stared up at the battle in amazement.

"Nope." Smiled Iris with the same look of wonder on her face.

And the ninja kept their eyes trained on the snake-vs-dragon conflict. That was until the Great Devourer began to make its way back down the tall building and slithered to the ground. They all cheered from their positions as they celebrated the victory of their combined friend. "Yes!" Cheered Kai, pumping his fist up into the air. "It's running away."

But Iris couldn't shake the feeling something was very wrong indeed. Because from what she could tell, the Devourer wasn't one to give up easy.

With their fight finished, the ultra-dragon flew towards where the ninja had gathered and began its descent to join them. They were so close Iris could feel the wind from its beating wings brush against her masked face. That dragon truly was a strong and beautiful creature.

But then the Devourer burst through the ground beneath the ultra-dragon and slammed right into it. "No!" They all cried as they watched their friend be head-butted high into the air by their Serpentine enemy.

Iris felt Lloyd grab her hand as they watched the dragon being flung up into the air. And as soon as they peaked, in came the pointed tail that smacked them back down onto the ground. "No." They all sobbed quietly at the sight of their friend and ally being taken down. 

The ultra-dragon had been defeated. 

At the sight of the poor creature in pain, Iris's heart throbbed. She loved dragons so much so seeing them this way, it pained her very soul. They all rushed to the ultra-dragon's side where it was struggling to regain its feet. Just like them, it was trying to not give up. But the pain and the exhaustion was clawing it back down like weights attached to its wings.

Iris stepped forwards, placing her hand upon the nearest head's snout. She rubbed it soothingly and tried to offer some comfort to the injured creature. "You did well, friends." She reassured the different faces of the previously separate elemental dragons.

Behind her, a fearful Nya asked. "What now?"

The young Sensei had no clue. Here they were, their strongest ally was done and they knew no way of defeating the rampaging snake that was now free across all of Ninjago city. They had to think of something because they had a city to save. But as she continued to run her fingers softly across the tender scales of their new dragon friend, Iris's mind was drawing blanks.

The others had joined her as they comforted their hurt ultra-dragon. Iris may not have known much about ultra-dragons but even she knew this poor creature was too injured to fight on. They were almost certainly doomed.

But then she heard Lloyd's voice. "You came back!"

Whipping around to see what was happening, Iris found herself staring at the approaching form of her Uncle. Now that was interesting. A hopeful smile spread across Iris's lips: she always knew he had good in him to do the right thing. It seemed that time was now.

"Give me the weapons." He ordered the ninja who all narrowed their eyes at the evil-consumed man as if to ask him how he dared to demand such a thing. Iris's faith in her Uncle pushed past those suspicions and made her realise he did indeed have a plan up one of his four sleeves. "I am the only one who can handle the power of all four weapons at once. It's the only that'll defeat the Devourer."

Using the weapons together? Why didn't she think of that?

Iris would have handed over the weapons to her Uncle, if she had them but she didn't, and the boys were reluctant. "Uh, I thought we were meant to do everything in our power to not let him possess the weapons." Recalled Jay as he queried the plan.

"I think he's right, boys." Iris told her ninja as she glanced between them. That seemed to fill them with some confidence. Because they may not have trusted Lord Garmadon, but they certainly trusted Sensei Iris Wu.

Looking at their situation from a logical approach, Zane agreed. "I've ran every other scenario through my servers. It appears to be the only way."

Around them the Devourer was slithering its way around the city. People were screaming, cars were crashing, buildings were falling. It was total chaos out there. They had do something and fast. Otherwise they may not even be a Ninjago City to save.

"Give me the weapons." Repeated Lord Garmadon, hands outstretched and ready to receive them. The all turned to Iris, who nodded her head in agreement with her Uncle. And it seemed the others were too, but Kai was a bit more reluctant to agree. "Only I can destroy it. Or prepare to watch —"

The fire ninja interjected. "Quit your yammering and just do it." He tossed the old man his sword of fire and a small smirk etched itself onto his lips. Iris narrowed her eyes at her Uncle, juuuuuussstt in case he got any ideas. "When you have a chance to make the blow, it has a weak spot near his forehead."

Then, following Kai's lead, the others handed their old nemesis their weapons. The very weapons they tried so hard to keep from him in the beginning. "I think this goes without saying," Jay said as he handed Lord Garmadon his nunchucks of lightning. "but we're gonna need these back."

Garmadon grinned triumphantly as he finally felt the power of the four weapons of creation in his grasp. And they felt great. "I'll do my part, you just make sure he stays in one spot."

Iris sighed as her Uncle started to cackle before turning and running far away from them. She knew he was going to destroy that snake and do something good, so did he have to cackle like he was about to commit an evil deed? It was very confusing and off-putting.

"Stays in one spot? Stays in one spot? How are we supposed to do that?"

As Iris thought about the Devourer and everything that had unfolded since its release from the ancient (and previously lost) city, a thought popped into her mind. She had a plan. So, with a deep breath, the Sensei finally calmed her storm inside and turned to her team. "I have a plan. And we're gonna have to work together to pull this off."

Zane grinned beneath his mask. "Ninja, go!"

And so the plan was laid out and then put into place. It was time to take down that snake.

THE OTHERS SEEMED TO TRULY BELIEVE IN IRIS'S PLAN, WHICH WAS A GOOD THING AS IT WAS THE ONLY ONE THEY HAD. They were going to trap the snake and they were going to do it by working together. Then hopefully her Uncle would turn up on time to destroy his evil creator once and for all. Because Iris wasn't an idiot and she knew that although part of his actions were about doing the right thing, he mostly wanted revenge on the serpent that bit him.

Kai was the first point in their plan. He had to bait the large snake, which was harder than it looked. And by now, the Great Devourer had almost doubled inside due to feasting upon the destruction of Ninjago city. So their problem was made bigger. But fortunately for them, the fact the Devourer was bigger now made their plan a little easier.

So, Kai continued to lead the Devourer through the streets, crossing and turning along the way. Until he came to the next ninja: Cole. 

The earth ninja sprinted down the streets, having tagged out Kai like it was a relay race. Actually, that was exactly what it was like. Anyway, the ninja continued to lead the purple-eyed snake across the City and towards Jay. And he kept going until he made it to a dead end where he safely slid through a back alley and away from the mouth of that greedy snake.

Jay was waiting for the Devourer upon the roof and leapt across buildings as he continued to lead the serpent into their trap. He kept going, jumping from roof to roof until he reached the one where Iris was waiting.

Her palms were sweating nervously and her heart raced inside her chest. They only had one shot at this. One. And they couldn't mess it up. 

The blue clad warrior was getting ever so faster so Iris readied herself to begin her leg of the race. Planting her soles firmly on the ground, the yellow ninja calmed her breathing and focused her sights on her path ahead. Then in came Jay with the Devourer nipping at his heels. "You've got this, Iris!" He assured her before jumping out of the way of the large serpent.

Now it was her turn.

With the snake so close she could feel its breath against her back so she took that as a sign to run. From rooftop to rooftop, the master of space leapt. If she wanted to get out of the snake's way, she would have teleported. But she needed to keep its attention.

The slanted slats were difficult to stand on so as soon as her feet made contact, she pushed herself off them once more. Growls echoed in her ears, overwhelming her hearing. She winced slightly but carried on running nonetheless. Exhaustion started to crawl up her limbs, slowly seizing control of her body.

But she couldn't give in. And she couldn't give up.

Pushing through, Iris headed straight for the construction site ahead of her — it was where Zane was waiting. She couldn't be the reason her own plan failed. So, as she realised she was getting so close to the end of her part, Iris found what strength she had left and accelerated towards the site. 

Her body screamed and the yellow fabric snagged at her joints. But with the open and fanged mouth of the Great Devourer right behind her, she couldn't stop.

Then as she landed on the last rooftop, Iris pushed off with all her might and launched herself onto an open floor of the half-formed skyscraper. She immediately threw herself over the gap in the floor just as the snake jammed its scaly head into the building site after her. Turning upwards, Iris could see Zane watching above and as she looked towards him, she pictured where he was in her mind and focused. The snake stared at the girl over the gap in the floor and was about to lean over and slam down its jaws when she vanished in a puff of smoke. 

Reappearing beside the ice ninja, Iris released the breath she didn't realise she was holding. Then she turned around to look at the snake below and with one hand, fired an orb of her cosmic power right at its eye.

The impact caused it to shift and then the snake redirected its gaze to see where it had come from. And as soon as it caught sight of the yellow ninja it had been chasing, purple eyes narrowed right at her. The chase was still on.

"What took you so long?" Teased Zane as he smirked at Iris under his mask.

The yellow ninja let out a small laugh. "Lets just go." Her smile brightened her eyes as she glanced over at Zane. "We have a snakes scaly butt to take down."

Below them, Iris could hear the Great Devourer preparing its ascent up to their level. So she knew they had to get out of there, and fast. The two ninja shared a knowing nod before they both ran straight towards the ledge. 

Their moves were in tandem and Iris's breathing may have been laboured but she managed to keep up with the nindroid. On her left, Zane dug his fingers inwards, feeling the familiar swell of power beneath his skin. "Instead of a fire escape, how about an ice escape."

And as they drew close to the edge of the building, Iris and Zane both jumped as far as they could. 

A pre-made slide of Ice caught them as they fell through the air. Suddenly pushed forwards by the shockwave of the large serpent tearing up through the building, the two ninja suddenly landed upon Zane's chilly slide. "Not bad, Zane." Grinned the master of space.

With the Devourer hot on their cold heels, Iris and Zane slid down the ice road and towards the finish line of their relay race. It was like she was snowboarding without a board and Iris felt herself slip and tumble as they descended towards the ground. Her legs now shook from tiredness and cold as they bumped against the outer rims of the path.

"Woah." Cried the yellow ninja as she slipped on the slowly melting ice. Zane instinctively reached out to catch her arm which stopped her from toppling over the edge. Then, leading the way, Zane led the way down the ice slide with his hand clutching Iris's tightly. She didn't dare let go out of fear of falling over the side so she tightened her grip on Zane as they continued down.

But when they turned a corner, the Devourer burst up through their frosty track, stopping it there. Yet Zane had other ideas. 

As they flew off the end of the cold path, he used his powers beneath them to guide them safely back onto the original slide. His hand never leaving Iris's the entire time. They continued to slide around buildings, down streets, as they made their way towards the finish line.

With the wind rushing past her face and the feeling of Zane's fingers wrapped around her own, Iris couldn't resist the urge to surrender to the sensation of joy. Because even though they were currently being chased down by a hungry serpent that would consume them in a heartbeat, Iris felt free. And hope was the one consuming her, not that dreadful scaly monster.

Both Iris and Zane knew they were coming to the end of the track. So they had to be ready. They all had to be ready otherwise the plan wouldn't work.

As the two ninja turned a corner, they spotted a giant ramp approaching. This was it. 

They squeezed each other's hand, holding on as tight as they could without hurting one another, as they neared the slope. And their momentum was all they needed to be launched up into the air. 

Iris and Zane felt themselves reaching out for each other as they hung momentarily in mid air. The head of the snake was widening, readying to gobble them up, having no idea that it was about to fall into their trap. 

It all came down to this. 

The fate of Ninjago was resting in the balance.

"Now!"

Before the two could even fall, in swooped the ultra-dragon who dived beneath the two ninja and caught them on its back. Kai and Cole were in front and Jay was behind the seat with them. He had actually grabbed the two as they landed to make sure they didn't end up falling off the back of their new friend. Who now looked to be feeling better, which was great.

"You think it's working?" Asked Jay as he looked down at their trap. Well, Iris's plan. 

Kai stared down at the part of the Great Devourer they could see from up on the ultra-dragon. "We're about to find out." He said as they flew around the the area, following the green trail of scales until...

They found the head. And that very jaw that had tried to close around them found something else to bite down onto — it's own tail!

The plan had worked!

From the city of Ouroboros it had been trapped. From the city of Ouroboros it had been freed. And now by an Ouroboros it would be defeated.

As they watched the serpent struggle to free itself from... itself, the ninjas cheered in celebration. They whooped and plastered on beaming grins, feeling a sense of victory and justice wash over them like a wave. They had done it.

"Your plan worked, Sensei Iris!" Cole glanced over his shoulder to say.

At his words, Zane turned to look at her, his eyes soft and his touch gentle. "Of course it did. It's her plan after all." In that moment Iris was so thankful she was wearing her mask, otherwise the boys would have seen her blush like crazy. 

She couldn't resist any longer and threw her arms around the ice ninja's neck. On instinct, his arms immediately wrapped themselves around her waist and the two laughed joyfully as they celebrated their victory. "We did it!" She cheered, tearing herself from Zane to glance over her ninja with pride. "And we did it together, as a team."

"Teamwork makes the dream work!"

"Damn right it does!"

Jay then giggled. "I almost can't believe we did it."

With the five on their back, the ultra-dragon then flew down to the rooftop where Nya and Lloyd were waiting. From their advantage point they had been able to watch nearly the entire thing and too shared in the joy as they watched the snake be trapped by eating its own tail.

As the dragon touched down onto the surface of the roof, they all made their way off and as soon as her feet were on the ground, she found a small pair of arms wrapping themselves around her waist. "You all did it, Iris!" Beamed the small green ninja excitedly.

"Yeah, we did." She smiled down at him. "And now that it's stuck, we have to wait for your Father. Only he can destroy it for good."

Cole frowned as his eyes scanned their surroundings. "Where is Garmadon?" He queried. As Iris's words made him remember that they did in fact have another step in their plan, a rather important one. Glancing down at the thrashing serpent, Cole pointed out. "He's not gonna hold on for much longer." 

"Look!"

Lloyd's voice brought their attention to him and they followed his finger as he pointed upwards to the building directly above their scaly foe. Because right there at the tip top was her Uncle Garmadon with the four golden weapons.

Thunder crashed and boomed. The sky growing darker as deep dark clouds swarmed and clouded the previously bright day. A shadow was cast across Ninjago city as Garmadon prepared himself to use the weapons to get revenge and save the city all at once.

"Dad!" Lloyd pulled off his mask to look up his father. And even from that height, Iris had a feeling that the four-armed man was looking directly at his son.

Iris gasped as she watched a purple light encase the elemental weapons. It was happening. Then a beacon of blinding light and then shockwave of pure power spread across the city until it dissipated into nothingness. She felt it and she was sure the others did too. The power contained in that wave gave her goosebumps and made her own elemental powers tickle under her skin.

Then Lord Garmadon dived off the building.

"Go get him, Dad." Whispered Lloyd as he clung to the edge of the roof. Iris held onto the young Garmadon boy's hand as she said a silent prayer for her Uncle. 

The evil-consumed man was diving, head-first and weapons outstretched, straight for the weak point upon the forehead of the Devourer. Then he made contact.

Red flashed where the green spot once was. And a second later, the Great Devourer exploded from within.

Green slime was sent out in a tidal wave in all directions, coating everyone and everything in a coat of the sticky, green, evil substance. Ew. But Iris didn't care in the slightest. Because the Great Devourer had been defeated once and for all and her Father had been avenged. Balance had been once again restored to the world. 

She hoped her Grandfather would be proud of what they had done.

"He did it." Breathed Jay in awe.

Cole shook his head as he grinned from ear to ear. "No, we did it." And that included Garmadon too. An unlikely ally for the ninja had turned the tide in their battle against the most evil snake their world had ever seen. And they had all done it together.

The people of Ninjago were celebrating their victory and the fact that were most likely going to see another day. Peace had been restored and the evil vanquished. Everyone was safe again. 

"Father would be proud of us." Smiled Iris sadly as she swung her arms (although they were absolutely coated in that gross green goo, but not to worry because the others were covered in it also) around the ninja. She stared down at the people below, hugging and rejoicing. They all shared their relief with utter strangers because on that day, it didn't matter. Because they were alive and that was what mattered.

They had saved Ninjago. Together.

ONCE THE FIGHT WAS WELL AND TRULY OVER, IRIS WANTED TO DO NOTHING OTHER THAN CRASH INTO A NICE WARM BED. But when she remembered that her bed was destroyed by the Devourer that almost made her sad. Yet it seemed not even that could tear that smile from her face as they celebrated their victory over the evil snake. 

The seven friends left their rooftop to return to the streets below where it seemed some of the city were waiting for them. And front and centre, were Jay's parents. Honestly, she didn't expect anything less. "Ooh, our little ninja." Edna was beaming with pride, as was her husband. They ran to their son as fast as their legs could carry them and then wrapped him in the tightest hug.

Meanwhile, Cole was sprinting over to embrace their new ultra-dragon in a tight hug.

All this happiness made Iris smile yet she couldn't shake the shadow of sadness as she remembered her Father wasn't there to enjoy the moment with them. Sensing this, Zane grabbed Iris's hand and offered her a small smile and now without their masks, she could see it. And although she had been surprised by his new half-metal appearance at first, she quickly accepted it.

The two smiled softly at each other before Lloyd's voice broke them from their moment of peace. "I don't see my Dad."

Eyes darting around, the ninja too came to the same conclusion and they all frowned. He was meant to be here? So, where was he?

"He should be around here somewhere."

Zane used his nindroid abilities to survey their surroundings. "Your analysis is incorrect." He told Kai as his powerful mind computed the results. "He is not here."

"Then where is he?" Pondered the yellow ninja.

"Then our golden weapons are gone too." Pointed out Cole who was running his hand across the snout of Rocky. And, of course, Cole had a good point. It seemed, although Lord Garmadon had helped them defeat the snake, he had taken some souvenirs. "Well, isn't that convenient."

Looking over the bridge and to where the snake was last breathing, Nya spotted something below. "Look, his footsteps." She was right. Leading out from the pile of green gloop where a multiple pairs of footsteps, printed from the sloppy remains of the serpent.

A sigh passed Kai's lips as he looked down at the green ninja beside him. "I have a feeling you'll be seeing your Father again soon." He tried to reassure him with a gentle hand on his back.

Iris hummed in agreement. "Yes, I think so too. Because no matter what, Uncle Garmadon never tends to stay out of trouble for too long."

"I know," Said Lloyd as he hung his head sadly. Then, he admitted. "but that's what I'm afraid of." 

He was afraid of the final battle against good and evil. Understandably so. But Lloyd was still a child, he had much training to do before he was ready to take on anyone, let alone his Father.

 Cole gasped. Then a name toppled from his lips that made Iris tremble.

"Sensei Wu!" 

It couldn't be. Right?

But when Iris followed his gaze, she found herself staring at the alive form of her Father, standing there in the sticky green mess. He was alive. Thank the First Spinjitzu Master.

Her heart leapt inside her chest and tears of joy sprung from her eyes like a fountain. She couldn't believe it. Her Father was alive. After everything that had happened, thinking she had lost him then doing everything to avenge him, and now he was back. Her mind was in chaos, her feelings all over the place. And for a moment, it was like she had forgotten how to breathe.

But once she was breathing somewhat normally again, Iris left the others and teleported straight to him. 

She arrived, standing not even a metre from his face, and remained there for a moment as if trying to distinguish whether or not this was a dream. "Father." A sob fell from her lips and suddenly he was taken off guard as a pair of arms were flung around his neck. She buried her face deep into the crook of his neck, her tears staining his robes. Wu wove his arms around her body and held on as tight as he could, a sense of relief filling him to have his daughter in his arms once more.

And as for Iris, as she clung to her Father, she felt like a child once again, safe from everything the world had to offer as long as she was inside his embrace.

"I—I thought..." She couldn't even bring herself to finish.

Wu sighed. "I know, Iris. I know." He ran a hand through her hair as he too started to cry. "And I'm so sorry for how I acted before you left. I shouldn't have pushed you away like that." A small sob escaped the old Sensei. "It is one of my biggest regrets." 

Hearing that, it made the resentment she carried deep down diminish. After how things ended with them before she left on her adventure, Iris was still a little upset and angry. But now, that was all in the past.

"I forgive you, Father." She said as she tightened her arms around him.

And once the words fell from her lips, he withdrew from their embrace to get a good look at her. He grinned past his tears and ran a hand across her cheek. The two Wu's were together once again. And they were stronger than ever before.

Then the others arrived, overjoyed to see their Sensei miraculously alive after being eaten by the snake. Still with an arm around his daughter, Wu looked over his pupils with joy and pride. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see you." He released his hold to walk straight past them and grab... a teapot. His teapot. Iris chuckled with amusement as he poured himself a cup (that, by some kind of magic, was still hot and okay to drink). "The Great Devourer left a bad taste in my mouth." And once he downed his cup, he sighed contently. "Much better. And still hot."

To be fair, it wasn't the weirdest thing to happen that day. So, Iris didn't question it further.

Lloyd smiled happily as he looked up at his family. "It's good to have you back, Uncle." But then his smile fell as he informed the senior Sensei. "But my father left, and he took the golden weapons."

"Ah, very true." Sighed Wu who then placed a hand upon his nephew's shoulder.  "The ability of the weapon is truly great, but the ability to better oneself makes you limitless." Ah, a nugget of wisdom after being freed from the belly of the beast — which he was rather calm about — was very Wu of him.

"I couldn't have said it any better myself."

Coming from Kai, the words he said next were very grown up of him. Iris was very proud of the ninja, and of the man, he was becoming. "Besides, we have what is more important: you."

"And you won't have to go through anything alone." Iris reminded Lloyd after seeing the worried look on his face. Her words seemed to ease him a little.

"The pupils have become the masters."

The prophecy hadn't escaped Lloyd's mind and Iris doubted it ever would. And the boy hung his head sadly. "Am I really gonna have to fight my Father one day?" He questioned.

"One day." Nodded Wu and Lloyd visibly sunk at the news. Iris then wrapped her arms supportively around her cousin. "But today we can feel good that Ninjago is saved, for tomorrow you will train for the day. Good will finally face evil and a final outcome will be decided for all of time."

Kai quickly spoke up. "But don't worry, we're gonna teach you everything we know." Glancing at their younger Sensei, he then added. "And Iris will be supervising, of course. She'll always have your back."

Red's words caused Iris to grin. "I sure will, Little Monty."

"And we'll make sure you're prepared for that fight." Added Jay.

Cole continued with a hopeful grin. "Because as we all know, good will always stand up to evil."

"And Ninja always stand up for what is right,"

"Go, ninja, go!"

And this.... this was only the beginning.

I can't believe it! I finished an act! I think I've only done this with one fic before and holy shit, it didn't have as many words or chapters as this. Just gonna say that I am very proud of myself and I can't wait to see where this story ends up.

Also might be my longest chapter yet, I think. Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed it all so far!

dorkiest_nerd will be making an appearance in the next act with Loralyn Garmadon. I AM SO EXCITED FOR OUR GIRLS!!! Yay!!!

I love Iris and Zane so much! And her relationship with Lloyd and the others. And her and her Father finally talked about what happened and although some scars may remain, all the wounds are healed. Yay!

Thank you for reading!!

Sincerely Rosie aka WInter326